Do not define your worth by sorority recruitment (read again please)
First off, let me get this out there… I hated rush. Phew glad that’s out in the open. I’m pretty sure I cried every single night (I have become more of a crier in my older age though so not too surprising). I would get dressed up everyday. I put on my cute outfit, the outfit I had planned weeks in advance (haha kidding… not). And then I would go spend hours trying to prove my worth in 15 minute convos. It didn’t help that I don’t love small chat and was insanely nervous.
It was all because I cared SO MUCH.
I have always wanted to be in a sorority. Ever since I watched Legally Blonde. I wanted that group of girlfriends, a bunch of girls who give you life advice, like all of your instas, hug you goodbye as you leave for break, bring you cake on your birthday, and share all their cute clothes with you. I wanted that.
So I was nervous (like the pee your pants kind of nervous) and then I would go to house after house having what I thought were great conversations. The next day, every girl receives a list of houses that they will be attending. Missing from my list were typically most of the houses I had loved the day before.
I ended up blaming it all on myself. What if I was cooler? Funnier? More outgoing? The more I got into it, the worse it became. It took a huge toll on my self esteem. I assumed that if I was better, a better version of Renée, every sorority would have wanted me. I assumed that there was something wrong with me.
It didn’t help that a majority of my close friends really enjoyed recruitment. I’m so sorry that you had to choose between all the houses that wanted you, that must have been so tough. Oops too much sass (still bitter?).
Well. That became a long rant about my rough process… but do not be discouraged! There is a morale to this sad tale! Please, do not do what I did. I blamed every bit of myself for a process that is flawed. I defined my self worth based on the first impression of girls who knew nothing about me other than my major and hometown. Which isn’t right. There is a computer algorithm and a voting system that differs for every single house. There are a million factors involved in whom a sorority picks and only a minuscule handful actually have to do with you.
I do have to say though that I am so thankful to have ended up in the sorority I’m in, I love (LOVE) it. The process did indeed work out, as everyone promises that it will. I become the little heart eye emoji whenever I think about the girls I get to call my sisters. They have become best friends and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I would never want the end result to change, but if I could go back in time (it is 2016 after all) I would tell sweet naive Renée not to stress so much because it’s not you, it’s the process.
Be yourself. Smile. Rock your favorite outfit. Talk about your puppy. Smile some more. Give your best friend a hug. Get some rest. Tell a joke. It may not be easy few days, trust me, but it is beyond worth it.
xoxo,
Renée
she believed she could [make it through recruitment] so she did.
(script by the talented Kal barteski)
confetti kindness 